KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals manager Matt Quatraro — knowing Toronto starter Yusei Kikuchi has been tough historically on left-handed hitters — jotted down seven right-handed batters on his lineup card Tuesday.
It still wasn’t enough to produce results against the Blue Jays’ 31-year-old veteran.
Kikuchi allowed one run and three hits in five innings of tidy work, propelling Toronto to a 4-1 victory on a warm, windy Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
KC’s lone run was a loud one. Franmil Reyes blistered a Kikuchi slider in the second, sending a 455-foot home run bounding over the top of the fountains in left field.
The Royals’ offense was essentially silent from there, though, as it combined for four hits and one walk on a mostly punchless night.
Witt Jr. makes diving catch; Merrifield applauded in return
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. made one of the team’s top defensive plays of the season in the first inning, ranging deep into center field before fully extending for a diving catch with his back to home plate.
Statcast tracked that Witt Jr. ran 95 feet on the play with a top speed of 28.6 feet per second.
Meanwhile, former Royals player Whit Merrifield received a nice ovation from KC fans in his first plate appearance at Kauffman Stadium since last year’s trade to Toronto.
Merrifield, who didn’t play for the Blue Jays in the series’ opening game, paused to soak in the moment in the second inning, ultimately tipping his cap to the crowd following extended applause.
Key moment
KC’s best chance to rally came in the seventh with one out and a runner on first. KC trailed 3-1.
Toronto left-handed reliever Tim Mayza, however, quickly put out the fire. He struck out lefties Vinnie Pasquantino and Jackie Bradley Jr. in succession, holding the lead before Toronto tacked on an insurance run the next inning.
Duffy continues to impress
After making the Royals’ roster as a non-roster invitee out of spring training, Matt Duffy continues to rake when he gets the opportunity.
Duffy went 3 for 3 on Tuesday night, raising his season average to .714 (5 for 7). His five hits also lead the Royals this year despite the fact he’s started just two of five games.
